The Dollar and Thrifty car-rental operations at the Colorado Springs Airport and a second Springs location were closed this week by a local businessman who might have become a victim of the nation's credit crunch.

Robert Conine, who owns JFC Automotive Rental Group LLC, told officials this week at the Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group Inc. headquarters in Tulsa, Okla., that he was shutting his Springs franchise, Dollar Thrifty spokesman Fred Fleischner said Thursday. Conine also shut down a rental operation in Montrose, Fleischner added.

He said he couldn't comment on why the operations closed. Conine and his daughter, Karrah, who works for her father's company, declined comment.

Mark Earle, Colorado Springs Airport aviation director, said he was notified by Conine on Wednesday of the shutdown. As part of that conversation, Conine referred to credit issues he was experiencing, Earle said.

Earle said he didn't know how such issues affected Conine's business. Generally speaking, a car-rental operation might need to borrow money on a short-term basis to acquire vehicles or to cover operating costs during slow periods, Earle said. As part of the nation's credit crunch, which Congress is attempting to address this week, many lenders either are reluctant to make loans or don't have the money to do so.

Also, a nationwide economic slowdown has meant not as many cars being rented by Dollar and Thrifty customers companywide, not just at the Springs Airport, Earle said. Conine's franchise also had a location at 325 E. Pikes Peak Ave. in downtown Colorado Springs.

Dollar and Thrifty customers will be called before arriving in the Springs about the unavailability of cars through the companies, Fleischner said. Or, customers who get to the airport will be directed by remaining Dollar-Thrifty employees to other car rental companies, and their reservations and quoted prices will be honored, Fleischner said.

Earle said employees also have been receiving returned rental cars.

Another company - Earle declined to say which - is interested in taking over the vacated car rental counter, although he added that Conine's company is obligated to pay rent until the space is filled. Six other car rental companies continue to serve the airport.

At one time, Conine and his deceased brother, John, operated as many as 17 Dollar or Thrifty franchises in Texas and Colorado, according to an undated news release on the Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group's Web site.

-

CONTACT THE WRITER: 636-0228 or rich.laden@gazette.com